Metal alloy for golf club head

ABSTRACT

For making a rustproof golf club head economically in an environment friendly manner without electroplating to facilitate ball control, a metal alloy is disclosed containing carbon (C) 0.08% max, silicon (Si) 1.5% max.manganese (Mn) 1.5% max, chrome (Cr) 16˜28%, nickel (Ni) 1% max, cerium (Ce) 1.5% max, phosphor (P) 0.03% max, sulfur (S) 0.02%, and iron to make 100%.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to golf club head fabrication technology and more particularly, to a metal alloy, which is formed of a number of materials suitable for making rustproof golf club heads economically in an environment friendly manner without electroplating.

2. Description of the Related Art

Many metal materials are known for making golf club head, such as 304 austenitic stainless steel, 431 martensitic stainless steel, 17-4 PH precipitation hardening stainless steel, 25-5 dual phase steel (50% austenitic stainless steel and 50% ferrite), 1020 low carbon steel and 8620 low carbon alloy steel. 1020 low carbon steel and 8620 low carbon alloy steel are mild steels that facilitate ball control. However, these mild steels are not rustproof. A further electroplating process is necessary. This electroplating process causes an environmental pollution problem. Further, it greatly increases the manufacturing cost. Therefore, these mild steels are simply used for making expensive high-quality golf club heads.

Further, the aforesaid various conventional materials are not specifically developed for golf club head. Because a golf club head has a specially designed configuration, the material used must have high toughness and high extensibility characteristics. Using low carbon steel to make a golf club head requires an electroplating process that is not environment-friendly. A golf club head made in this way does not achieve expected ball control effect.

Therefore, it is desirable to provide a metal alloy for golf club head that eliminates the aforesaid problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances in view. It is one object of the present invention to provide a metal alloy, which is practical for making a rustproof golf club head economically in an environment friendly manner without electroplating to facilitate ball control.

To achieve this and other objects of the present invention, the metal alloy comprises carbon (C) 0.08% max, silicon (Si) 1.5% max.manganese (Mn) 1.5% max, chrome (Cr) 16˜28%, nickel (Ni) 1% max, cerium (Ce) 1.5% max, phosphor (P) 0.03% max, sulfur (S) 0.02%, and iron to make 100%.

Further, at least 95% of the metal alloy has a ferrite structure. The metal alloy further contains a small amount of austenitic and fine pearite.

Further, the metal alloy is used for making a golf club head directly through dewax casting or forging.

Further, molybdenum (Mo) 1% max. may be added to the metal alloy to enhance the rigidity.

Further, titanium (Ti) 0.5% max, or zirconium Zr) 0.5% max, or boron (B) 0.003% max may be added to the metal alloy to obtain a fine grain size.

Further, the metal alloy is adapted for making golf club heads for iron head, sand wedge and putter.

In general, the metal alloy for gold club head consists of carbon, silicon, manganese, chrome, nickel, cerium, phosphor, sulfur, and at least 95% formed of a ferrite structure containing austenitic and pearite. The metal alloy is practical for making a rustproof golf club head economically in an environment friendly manner without electroplating. Therefore, the invention has an industrial value.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A metal alloy for golf club head in accordance with the present invention is prepared from carbon, silicon, manganese, chrome, nickel, cerium, phosphor, sulfur and iron.

Carbon (C) is a requisite nonmetal element for making the metal alloy. The content of carbon in the metal alloy is 0.08% max. preferably 0.08% for carbide precipitation and ferrite structure formation.

Silicon (Si) is a heat-resisting nonmetal element having a magnetic characteristic. The content of silicon in the metal alloy is 1.5% max., preferably 1.5% for the advantage of prohibiting formation of gas pores and enhancing contraction and flowability of casting fluid.

Manganese (Mn) is a metal element for removing oxide from alloy. The content of manganese in the metal alloy is 1.5% max., preferably 1.5% for the advantage of effectively eliminating the harmful effect of hot brittleness on the metal alloy caused by sulfur.

Chrome (Cr) is a metal element having wear resistant and corrosion resistant characteristics. The content of chrome in the metal alloy is 16%˜28%. for the advantage of rustproof effect.

Nickel (Ni) is a metal element having enhanced tough and low temperature impact resistant characteristics. The content of nickel in the metal alloy is 1% max. for the advantage of improving the extensibility of the metal alloy.

Cerium (Ce) is a light rare earth element. The content of cerium in the metal alloy is 1.5% max., preferably 1.5% for causing desulphurization and deoxygenation, improving normal temperature and low temperature toughness and breaking strength, eliminating hot brittle, and facilitating heating working.

Phosphor (P) is a nonmetal element having grain-coarsening, hardness enhancing and tensile strength enhancing. The content of phosphor in the metal alloy is 0.03% max. for the advantage of maintaining extensibility and toughness.

Sulfur (S) is a requisite nonmetal element of the metal alloy. The content of sulfur in the metal alloy is 0.02% max, preferably 0.02%.

Except carbon, silicon, manganese, chrome, nickel, cerium, phosphor and sulfur that are prepared subject to a predetermined ratio, iron is used as the base material for composing the metal alloy having excellent strength, high extensibility and rustproof characteristics. Because the metal alloy has at least 95% formed of a ferrite structure and a small ratio formed of austenite and fine pearite, a golf club head made of this metal alloy shows excellent ball control performance, much better than a golf club head made of a conventional mild steel.

Further, a golf club head can be made of a metal alloy prepared from carbon, silicon, manganese, chrome, nickel, cerium, phosphor, sulfur and iron directly by means of dewax casting or forging.

Further, molybdenum (Mo) 1% max may be added to the metal alloy of carbon, silicon, manganese, chrome, nickel, cerium, phosphor, sulfur and iron to enhance the rigidity.

Further, titanium (Ti) 0.5 max or zirconium Zr) 0.5% max, or boron (B) 0.003% max may be added to obtain fine crystal size of the ferrite structure.

A metal alloy made according to the aforesaid composition has high strength, high extensibility, rust-prevention and excellent ball control characteristics, suitable for making iron head, sand wedge, putter.

In conclusion, the metal alloy for golf club head consists of carbon, silicon, manganese, chrome, nickel, cerium, phosphor, sulfur, and iron. The metal alloy is practical for making a rustproof golf club head economically in an environment friendly manner without electroplating. Therefore, the invention has an industrial value. Further, at least 95% of the metal alloy is formed of a ferrite structure containing austenitic and pearite, providing excellent ball control effect. Further, molybdenum (Mo) may be added to the metal alloy to enhance the rigidity. Further, titanium, zirconium, or boron may be added to the metal alloy to obtain fine grain size of the ferrite structure, providing better structural strength, better extensibility, and better rustproof and ball control performance. Therefore, the invention provides an industrial value.

Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited except as by the appended claims. 

1. A metal alloy for making a golf club head, comprising: Carbon (C) 0.08% max; Silicon (Si) 1.5% max; Manganese (Mn) 1.5% max; Chrome (Cr) 16˜28%; Nickel (Ni) 1% max; Cerium (Ce) 1.5% max; Phosphor (P) 0.03% max; Sulfur (S) 0.02%; and Iron to make 100%.
 2. The metal alloy as claimed in claim 1, which has at least 95% formed of a ferrite structure containing austenitic and pearite.
 3. The metal alloy as claimed in claim 1, which is adapted for making golf club heads for iron head, sand wedge and putter.
 4. The metal alloy as claimed in claim 1, which is used for making a golf club head through dewax casting or forging.
 5. The metal alloy as claimed in claim 1, further comprising molybdenum (Mo) 1% max.
 6. The metal alloy as claimed in claim 1, further comprising titanium (Ti) 0.5% max, or zirconium Zr) 0.5% max, or boron (B) 0.003% max to obtain a fine grain size. 